Agra is a city situated on the banks of the river Yamuna. It is
generally accepted that Sultan Sikandar Lodi, the Ruler of Delhi
Sultanate founded it in the year 1504. After the sultan's death the
city passed on to his son Sultan Ibrahim Lodi. He ruled his
Sultanate from Agra until he fell fighting to Babur in the First
battle of Panipat fought in 1526 and thus, the long association of Mughals with Agra started.

The Mughal love of architecture translated into beautiful monuments such as Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra. The glory of Agra was at its peak during the reign of Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. Akbar made it the center of art, culture, commerce and learning and Shah Jahan saw it in full bloom. In fact, it is said that it was Akbar who laid the foundation of the modern city that we see now in 1558 and was known as Akbarabad.

After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the city
came under the influence of Marathas and Jats and was called Agra,
before falling into the hands of the British in 1803. In 1835 when
the Presidency of Agra was established by the British, the city
became the seat of government. Agra remained with British until the
independence of India in 1947.

Most of the buildings in Agra belong to the period between mid-16th century and 17th century and were of high quality. These monuments were built in the contemporary Mughal style. Mughalai cuisine and the skilled craftsmen can still be seen in the narrow lanes of the city as a reminiscent of the lost times.